CHICAGO — CSX Transportation is willing to part with its stake in Pan Am Southern if that would alleviate competitive concerns surrounding its proposed acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways. “It was our position from day one, if they wanted us to step out of the Pan Am Southern, we were glad to […]
Train Topic: Railroad Operations
Washington woman convicted for shunt attack disrupting BNSF operations
SEATTLE — A 28-year-old Bellingham, Wash., woman faces up to 20 years in prison after being convicted today of violence against a railroad carrier for a November 2020 incident on a BNSF Railway line in Bellingham. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington says in a press release that Ellen Brennan Reiche […]
Top regulator urges railroads to focus on growth
CHICAGO — Surface Transportation Board Chairman Martin J. Oberman stepped up his criticism of Class I railroads on Wednesday, saying the industry’s drive for ever-increasing profits resulted in a loss of market share to trucks over the past 15 years and is restraining growth today. Rail rates fell by 27% between 1985 and 2004, as […]
Cleveland shuts down rail transit line over bridge concerns
CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Regional Transportation Authority has extended the shutdown of Waterfront Line rail service indefinitely over safety concerns related to a bridge on the route. The 2.2-mile line has been shut down since October 2020 for a track rehabilitation project, but an RTA statement says an inspection determined the structure needed four […]
CN announces vaccination requirement for Canadian employees
MONTREAL — Canadian National has announced it will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all employees in Canada by Nov. 1. In a press release, the railroad says the policy will apply to employees, new hires, those at CN’s wholly owned subsidiaries, and “contractors, consultants, agents and suppliers, and anyone who accesses CN’s Canadian properties. Requests for medical […]
News photo: BNSF makes progress on second Sandpoint bridge
Much progress has been made on BNSF’s second bridge across Lake Pend Oreille outside Sandpoint, Idaho. Rolling through on the existing 4,769-foot bridge (completed by Northern Pacific in 1904) on Sept. 5th is train H-BARPAS, a Barstow, Calif., to Pasco, Wash., manifest that detoured via Denver due to wildfire damage on BNSF’s route in northern […]
UP restores additional service in New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS — Union Pacific reports additional service has been restored in the New Orleans area as of Tuesday, including the reopening of its Avondale, La., intermodal facility. Also restored are interchange with CSX and the New Orleans Public Belt; interchange with the New Orleans & Gulf Coast, a 32-mile short line spun off from […]
Northern California legislators say plan would revive long-defunct line to move coal for export
EUREKA, Calif. — Northern California legislators are decrying an effort they say would revive a long-defunct portion of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad as part of a plan to export coal from the Port of Humboldt Bay, Eureka’s lightly used commercial port. The Eureka Times-Standard reports the plan from the North Coast Railroad Co. came to […]
‘City of New Orleans’ service to remain suspended south of Jackson, Miss.
NEW ORLEANS — Amtrak’s City of New Orleans continues to operate over only a portion of its route as Canadian National crews continue to repair damage in the wake of Hurricane Ida. An Amtrak advisory notes that effective with the Wednesday, Sept. 8, southbound departure from Chicago, the train will operate to Jackson, Miss., with […]
Wait for federal approval delays Long Beach rail project
LONG BEACH, Calif. — A major rail expansion project at the Port of Long Beach has fallen at least a year behind schedule, an official says, as the port waits for the U.S. Maritime Administration to approve an environmental report. The Long Beach Post reports the $870 million Pier B On-Dock Support Project is awaiting […]
SEPTA plans rebranding, new labeling for urban rail lines
PHILADELPHIA — The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority is proposing using a series of letters and colors to rename its urban rail system, to make it easier to use and emphasize the entire rail network rather than its individual elements. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the proposal would rebrand the network of rapid transit and trolley lines […]
Third German rail strike ends
BERLIN — Germany’s third and longest rail strike in a month ended Tuesday morning, with national rail operator Deutsche Bahn saying it would work quickly to restore full operations. Broadcaster DW reports about 19,700 train drivers had taken part in the walkout that began Sept. 1 and was the second-longest ever for the rail network. […]